The National tribune., 1887-02-10
LOCKHART AGAIN.
An Indiana Soldier Pays His Compliments 70 the
Gallant Captain.

Gallant Captain.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Capt. Lock-
hart would have the impression made upon the
minds Of the rising generation that the Sixth
Corps did most Of the effective work of the
Shenandoah Valley campaign, and that the
Eighth aud Nineteenth Corps and the $1,000
cavalry under Custer, Merritt and other gallant
leaders were only along TO make show. The
Sixth Corps was like David, who, when he
went out TO fight the great Goliath. had the
army near by. but did the fighting himself /
know that the voice Of the survivors of the
Sixth Corps would not indorse the Captains
statement, because don't think they would be
willing 10 cast any reflections upon any part of
the army engaged in that campaign.
The break in the line of the Nineteenth
Corps was caused by an enflading fire from a
rebel battery across the creek on the extreme
right, and was only temporary, as troops were
hurried across TO drive the battery away. Then
the line moved forward and did as gallant serv-
ice rs any part Of the army. That same part OF
the Nineteenth Corps had the advance to
Strasburg the next day, and at Fishers Hill
did the part assigned il, and gathered in some
l,S0O prisoners. The Nineteenth Corps had the
advance in pursuit that night, and the regi-
ment 10 which ! belonged was foremost, rs
every survivor will remember, from the fact
that about r. m, in the intense darkness, we
ran against telegraph wire stretched across
the road as n signal for their battery just few
rods in advance, which gave us a reminder that
they had not left all their grape and canister at
Fishers Hill. After few moments Of skir-
mshng the column moved on and did not stop
until the sun was fully up and we were in tho
southern suburbs of Hawkinsville, as tired as
men could well be.
During the pursuit to Harrisonburg and on
to Cross Keys the Nineteenth Corps was notice
able. At the battle OF Cedar Creek the Nine
teenth Corps was called from its slumbers in
the early morning TO engage in deadly conflict
with that horde Of early-risng Confederates,
before some Of the men got their shoes tied or
clothes buttOned, and hundreds of as good men
as ever went TO battle were cut down or taken
prisoners without any sign Of the lines giving
way until il was discovered that the enemy
was closing upon them like pair of shears
and they must either retreat or be annihilated
The retreat resulted in panic or stampede
and the men, unincumbered, for the JOhnnies
hadn't given us time to make our toilet or pack
our clothing.) made as good time, perhaps, tc
the rear of the Sixth Corps as has been recorded
Of any during the war. As we passed the right
of the Sixth Corps their bands were inspiring
their men with patriotic airs, and every man
looked stolid and confident.
But how did they stand the storm? Let me
tell you. The Sixth Corps had ground of its OWL
choosing and from one to two hours 10 cstab.
lish its lines. Gen. Early reported 10 Rich
mond after the battle that Z" Ny men fell out tc
pillage the enemys camp, and did not pursue
the retreating enemy in force, and what prom.
ised TO us a victory in the morning resulted
disastrously in the evening" or words 10 that
effect. Now with these broken columns they
pressed the Sixth Corps back over mile, as
Capt Lockhart admits. There was no press
about il, as every man knows who was an eye.
witness for but little firing was done anywhere
on the line. The truth Of the matter is, the
Sixth Corps caught the contagion and moved
with rs much celebrity TO the rear as was con-
sistent with their health on that warm day.
Then what2 There was that whole army in
an inextricable mass and nobody 10 straighter
il out until Gen. Sheridan came, and with hat
in hand and encouraging words inspired thai
army more than the arrival of 10 900 fresh troops
Now, Capt Lockhart. if you did not see hin
thousands of men did. Gen. Wright knew it
Gems Emery, Crook, Grover and all Of the res
knew IL; and all the assurance they needed q
give their men was the fact that Sheridan haC
come and would lead them TO victory before tn,
sun went down. Every man was determined
10 retrieve the lost ground aud punish the
enemy, then flushed with victory.
The lines were soon reformed and an advancI
was ordered. The men of the Sixth Corps ant
those of the Eighth and Nineteenth all engaged
in that terrible conflict alike, and the news wa
flashed over the country that Early had beer
defeated, without any intimation that any par
ticular part of Sheridan's army had done it.
what Capt. LockhaTt says is true, that Gen
/ Wright was entitled 10 the honor, and that Gen
Sheridan's ride had nothing TO do with tn
result of the day." we should all admire Gen
Wright for his modesty in not contending 70
the honor, which grateful people would hav
accorded him. l.. HUMMEL, Sergeant, CC
ii, Sth Ind, Pomona, Kan.